Guitarist and composer Tom Gamble brings together some of the country’s finest young talent in a unique ensemble focussed in the musical language of famed gyspy jazz musician Django Reinhardt. Undoubtably the first strong European voice of jazz, Reinhardt achieved great fame in the 30’s and 40’s for his virtuosic playing and passionate energetic performances. A tremendous feat considering he lost the use of two of his fingers at a young age. “Speaking Django” seeks to recreate this passion, through new original arrangements and compositions together with an orchestral twist, virtuosity, spontaneity and humour.

The Windsor Festival aims to promote a high quality and varied festival for the cultural benefit of our community. To achieve this we will:

Continue to promote quality performances of music and the arts within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Increase local access to the arts and music in the unique venues available with Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead.
Encourage the development of young musicians and other artists. Provide opportunities for local performers.

Vision

The Rt Rev. Robin Woods, Dean of Windsor, said of the Festival at its inception:

“The Festival brought to Windsor a new dimension of public participation, but it also demanded a new partnership and financial commitment between Castle, College and town… Windsor, with the castle at its heart and Eton at its feet, was ideally suited to a week of music-making and entertainment.…the whole place became the scene of pleasurable meeting and entertainment”.

The Festival still holds this vision: we offer a unique experience, which entertains and enhances the community, linking social, educational and commercial interests.

Building on these foundations, we will increase the breadth and variety of the programme, increase accessibility to the arts and encourage wider recognition of the Festival.